Medicare deductibles went up in 2026. The Part A inpatient hospital deductible is $1,736 per benefit period, and the Part B annual deductible is $283. Knowing these numbers matters because they affect how much you pay before Medicare starts covering your care. This guide breaks down every cost for both parts, explains how the deductibles work, and covers programs that can help you pay them.
Part A Deductible 2026: Hospital Coverage
Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health services. Unlike Part B, which has one annual deductible, Part A uses a "benefit period" system.
A benefit period starts the day you are admitted to a hospital or skilled nursing facility. It ends when you have been out of inpatient care for 60 consecutive days. There is no limit to how many benefit periods you can have in a year, which means you could pay the Part A deductible more than once in a single calendar year if you have multiple hospitalizations with 60-day gaps between them.
Part A Cost Table 2026
| Service | Days | Your Cost |
|---|
| Inpatient hospital | Days 1 to 60 | $1,736 deductible, then $0/day |
| Inpatient hospital | Days 61 to 90 | $434/day coinsurance |
| Inpatient hospital | Lifetime reserve days | $868/day coinsurance |
| Skilled nursing facility | Days 1 to 20 | $0/day (after deductible) |
| Skilled nursing facility | Days 21 to 100 | $217/day coinsurance |
| Skilled nursing facility | Day 101 and beyond | All costs |
The $1,736 deductible is a $60 increase from the 2025 amount of $1,676. The skilled nursing coinsurance of $217 per day also increased from $209.50 in 2025.
One important note on Part A premiums: most people pay $0 per month for Part A because they or a spouse worked at least 40 quarters (10 years) and paid Medicare taxes. If you have 30 to 39 quarters of work history, the premium is $311 per month in 2026. Fewer than 30 quarters means $565 per month.
Part B Deductible 2026: Medical Coverage
Medicare Part B covers outpatient services including doctor visits, preventive screenings, lab tests, durable medical equipment, and outpatient surgery. Part B has a straightforward annual deductible.
In 2026, the Part B annual deductible is $283. This is a $26 increase from $257 in 2025. Once you meet this deductible for the calendar year, Medicare typically pays 80% of the Medicare-approved amount for covered services, and you pay the remaining 20% coinsurance.
The standard Part B monthly premium in 2026 is $202.90. Higher-income beneficiaries pay more based on IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) surcharges.
Part B Premium by Income 2026
| Individual Income | Joint Income | Monthly Premium |
|---|
| Up to $106,000 | Up to $212,000 | $202.90 |
| $106,001 to $133,000 | $212,001 to $266,000 | $285.00 |
| $133,001 to $167,000 | $266,001 to $334,000 | $367.00 |
| $167,001 to $200,000 | $334,001 to $400,000 | $449.10 |
| $200,001 to $500,000 | $400,001 to $750,000 | $531.20 |
| Above $500,000 | Above $750,000 | $594.00 |
Income is based on your tax return from two years prior. So 2026 premiums are based on 2024 income.
Part A vs Part B Deductible: Key Differences
| Feature | Part A | Part B |
|---|
| 2026 deductible amount | $1,736 | $283 |
| How it resets | Per benefit period | Per calendar year |
| Can you pay it multiple times per year? | Yes | No |
| What it covers | Hospital and inpatient care | Doctor visits, outpatient services |
The biggest practical difference is the reset schedule. Part B resets every January 1. Part A resets every time a new benefit period starts, so a person with two separate hospitalizations more than 60 days apart would owe two Part A deductibles in the same year.
Medicare Savings Programs: Help Paying Your Deductibles
If paying $1,736 for a hospital stay or $283 per year for Part B feels out of reach, Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) can help. These are state-administered programs funded by Medicaid that pay some or all of your Medicare costs.
There are four types:
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)
QMB is the most comprehensive. It pays your Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance. Providers are prohibited from billing QMB beneficiaries for Medicare cost-sharing.
Income limit: up to approximately $1,350 per month for individuals, $1,824 per month for couples (100% of FPL).
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)
SLMB pays your Part B premium only. It does not cover deductibles or coinsurance.
Income limit: up to approximately $1,616 per month for individuals, $2,184 per month for couples (120% of FPL).
Qualifying Individual (QI)
QI also pays your Part B premium. Funding is limited and applications are served on a first-come, first-served basis.
Income limit: up to approximately $1,815 per month for individuals, $2,452 per month for couples (135% of FPL).
Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI)
QDWI pays the Part A premium for people who have a disability, are working, and lost premium-free Part A coverage. Income limit is higher (up to approximately $5,405 per month for individuals) but the asset limit is stricter.
2026 MSP Income and Asset Limits (Federal Baseline)
| Program | Individual Income Limit | Couple Income Limit | Individual Asset Limit | Couple Asset Limit |
|---|
| QMB | ~$1,350/month | ~$1,824/month | $9,950 | $14,910 |
| SLMB | ~$1,616/month | ~$2,184/month | $9,950 | $14,910 |
| QI | ~$1,815/month | ~$2,452/month | $9,950 | $14,910 |
| QDWI | ~$5,405/month | ~$7,299/month | $4,000 | $6,000 |
Note: Some states have higher income limits than the federal baseline. Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, and the District of Columbia all use higher limits. Asset limits also vary by state, and some states have eliminated asset tests altogether.
To apply for a Medicare Savings Program, contact your state Medicaid office. You can also apply through your local Social Security office.
Medigap: Another Way to Cover Your Deductibles
Medicare Supplement Insurance, also called Medigap, is private coverage that fills in the gaps Medicare leaves behind. Depending on the plan, Medigap can cover your Part A deductible, Part B deductible, and coinsurance.
Medigap plans are standardized and labeled A through N. Plan G is one of the most popular for people who enroll after January 1, 2020, because it covers the Part A deductible and all Part B coinsurance after you meet the Part B deductible. Plan F (only available to those eligible before January 1, 2020) covered both deductibles entirely.
Medigap charges a monthly premium in addition to your Part B premium. Premiums vary significantly by plan, insurer, and location. The tradeoff is predictable out-of-pocket costs in exchange for higher monthly premiums.
Medicare Advantage and Deductibles
If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan instead of Original Medicare, your deductible structure may look completely different. Medicare Advantage plans are required to cover at least the same benefits as Original Medicare, but they can set their own deductibles and cost-sharing within CMS-approved limits.
Some Medicare Advantage plans have $0 deductibles for hospital stays. Others have per-day copays for hospital admissions rather than a single deductible. You need to review your plan's Summary of Benefits each year to understand what you will actually owe.
When Does the Part B Deductible Apply?
You pay the Part B annual deductible before Medicare starts its 80% coverage for most services. However, some services are exempt from the Part B deductible entirely.
Services with no Part B deductible:
- Annual wellness visit
- Welcome to Medicare visit
- Most preventive screenings (colorectal cancer, mammograms, bone density tests)
- Flu, pneumonia, and COVID-19 vaccines
- Clinical lab tests (in most cases)
Understanding which services skip the deductible can help you plan your care. Getting your annual wellness visit costs nothing out of pocket under Part B.
How to Check Your Benefits and Potential Savings
Understanding your deductible is just one part of the picture. A free benefits screener can help you find out whether you qualify for a Medicare Savings Program, Extra Help with Part D drug costs, or other assistance programs that reduce your total Medicare spending.
Use our free benefits screener to check your eligibility in minutes. You enter basic income and household information, and the tool checks 11+ programs to show you what you may qualify for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Medicare Part A deductible for 2026?
The Medicare Part A deductible is $1,736 per benefit period in 2026. A benefit period starts when you are admitted to a hospital or skilled nursing facility and ends after 60 consecutive days out of inpatient care.
What is the Medicare Part B deductible for 2026?
The Part B annual deductible is $283 in 2026. It resets every January 1. After you meet it, Medicare pays 80% of covered outpatient services and you pay 20%.
Did Medicare deductibles go up in 2026?
Yes. The Part A deductible increased by $60 (from $1,676 to $1,736). The Part B deductible increased by $26 (from $257 to $283). These increases reflect projected changes in healthcare utilization and costs.
Can I be charged the Part A deductible twice in one year?
Yes. Because Part A resets each benefit period rather than each calendar year, you can owe the $1,736 deductible multiple times if you have separate hospital stays with at least 60 days between them.
What programs pay my Medicare deductibles for me?
The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program pays your Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance. Income limits are approximately $1,350 per month for individuals and $1,824 per month for couples in 2026. Contact your state Medicaid office to apply.
Does Medicare Advantage have the same deductible as Original Medicare?
No. Medicare Advantage plans set their own deductibles and cost-sharing within CMS limits. Some plans have $0 hospital deductibles. Others use daily copays instead. Review your plan's Summary of Benefits to see your actual costs.
Is the Part B deductible waived for any services?
Yes. Annual wellness visits, most preventive screenings (mammograms, colonoscopies, bone density tests), vaccines, and clinical lab services are typically exempt from the Part B deductible. You pay $0 for these services if your provider accepts Medicare assignment.
What is the skilled nursing facility deductible in 2026?
There is no separate SNF deductible. The $1,736 Part A deductible covers the first 60 days of a hospital stay or the first 20 days of SNF care. Days 21 through 100 in a skilled nursing facility cost $217 per day in coinsurance.
How do I apply for a Medicare Savings Program?
Contact your state Medicaid office or local Social Security Administration office. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to get information specific to your state. Some states allow online applications through their Medicaid portal.
